Isidore Newman School seeks a learning specialist to serve students in grades 6-8, with a focus on strong relationships with students and families, as well as a desire and ability to support students in attaining high academic expectations. The successful applicant will possess excellent speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills; be technologically savvy and computer literate; have an abiding interest in helping students to experience academic and social growth; be successful in working with teams; and demonstrate cultural competency, respect for diversity of identities and experiences, and an orientation toward equity and inclusion.

Qualified applicants will hold a degree in Education / Special Education or a related field, and preferably have experience in a middle school environment.  Learning Specialists at Newman must also have a strong understanding of various learning differences and experience supporting students with learning profiles.  Prior experience reading and interpreting psychoeducational evaluation reports is a requirement. 

The Middle School Learning Specialist works with students, parents and caregivers, faculty, advisors, and administration, in addition to communicating with outside clinicians, so it is important that candidates possess strong communication and interpersonal skills and are skilled at managing multiple priorities on any given day.  The Middle School Learning Specialist reports to the Head of Middle School and is a fully involved member of the Middle School faculty, as well as a full participant in all Student Support / Learning Specialist Team meetings and initiatives. The responsibilities of the Middle School Learning Specialist include but are not limited to:

• Reading and interpreting psychoeducational evaluation reports
• Managing academic accommodation plans for students with diagnosed learning differences
• Communicating regularly with the parents of students with diagnosed learning differences
• Meeting with students with diagnosed learning differences on an as-needed basis
• Facilitating small group skill-building sessions with students of concern
• Attending grade level meetings to support teachers and offer insight and strategies
• Partnering with teachers on lesson design and pedagogical strategies
• Designing and delivering lessons for an enrichment class on topics such as executive functioning skills or brain development
• Delivering professional development to colleagues
• Helping to facilitate the transition between divisions for students and parents / caregivers
• Meeting regularly with Middle School administration in support of students of concern
• Assisting families navigating the evaluation process 
• Participating in Evaluation Review Committee meetings
• Communicating with evaluating clinicians
• Collaborating with the Middle School counselor as appropriate
• Working in concert with Test Center Coordinator
• Delivering parent education programming
• Coordinating with the Philipson Health Center to develop and manage concussion accommodation plans and protocols

Applicants who demonstrate a desire to continue to grow in their field and stay versed in emerging best practices will be given particular consideration.  Additional duties and roles within the Middle School, including acting as an advisor, will be elements of this position, so a desire to be an active member of the school community outside of the classroom is critical as well.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, updated resume and names of three professional references.

About Isidore Newman School

Founded in 1903, Isidore Newman School is a co-educational independent school that serves high-achieving and highly motivated students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as infants through young children in Green Trees, a premier early childhood division of the School. Located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, blocks away from Tulane and Loyola University, Newman is the only co-educational, non-sectarian, independent day school in the city of New Orleans. Our School enjoys a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics and the arts with our students matriculating to the most selective colleges and universities in the country.

Connections working at Isidore Newman School